BURNING PILE » MIGUEL DIAZ

𝟬𝟳𝟮 valentina's closure

chapter seventy-two ; valentina's closure
[ season 6, episode 10 ]

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Nadia had been panicking since she woke up. Physically, she was prepared. Mentally, she still was not.

It seemed everyone could tell that the girl was on edge, too. Few of them knew why, and the rest of them were left in the dark.

Nadia resorted to transparency and told everyone to meet her in the locker rooms ten minutes before they were due in the arena for the matches. She was hoping it would help with the fight and get rid of some type of jitters. Although, she was doubtful of that.

The group piled in pretty quickly, and it became apparent to Nadia that she was really doing this. She was laying it all out there.

"Hey, guys," Nadia greeted everyone who stared at her attentively. "So, uh, as you know, Robby and I are going to be fighting today. Pretty soon, actually. And I feel like as captain, I owe you all transparency. And I owe myself that, too. Yeah. I don't really know how to say this. Some of you know, whether if it was by living it with me," Nadia counted one finger, nodding at her little sister. "or maybe you found out because you're a tech savvy genius, or maybe I just told you myself. The rest of you are in the dark, and you don't deserve to be. Plus, I'm tired of telling this story and having to relive it everytime I do."

Nadia realized she had paused when the group continued looking at her expectantly. "Oh, right! So, basically, I knew Valentina before she moved here. In—In Atlanta, actually. I. . . uh, I snapped her leg. Bone was showing and everything, so—yeah. We aren't just two girls who don't get along for no reason, I kind of ruined her life."

The girl's eyes found the ground, suddenly growing hot in her white gi. She couldn't look at her team anymore. "I was in a dark place when I did that, which isn't an excuse, but you guys know what my dad is like. Oh, funny enough, Sensei Wolf was my sensei at that time, too. This whole tournament is like a blast from the past. Anyways, what's I'm saying is, that's why I'm so nervous. But I felt like all of you here deserved to know the truth about your captain. If you want to judge me, feel free. I can handle it."

There was a brief silence before Johnny shook his fist with a nod of approval. "Badass."

Daniel snapped his head towards the man. "Johnny."

Nadia finally looked up, taking in the looks she was receiving. They weren't looks of disgust or fear. Not been pity. They were understanding looks, supportive looks. Entirely different from the looks she'd received the moment it happened.

Her genuine confusion was evident. Daniel spoke up first, "Nadia, we aren't judging you. I think it's safe to say that all of us have made our fair share of mistakes."

"I mean, I ruined her life," Nadia countered. "Karate wasn't as big in Atlanta compared to the Valley. Broken backs and snapped arms aren't as common there. What I did would be equivalent to murder over there."